DC Heroes Vs Villains: Batman, The Joker and More

The DC universe is home to some of our favourite superheroes, but also to their evil adversaries. The most famous hero-villain pair is undoubtedly Batman and the Joker, a calculating psychopath who terrorises Gotham. The two can be seen battling it out in the new animated superhero film Batman: The Killing Joke, released Monday August 8th on Blu-ray and DVD. To celebrate the release we take a look at the most intense hero-villain rivalries of the DC universe.

Superman vs. Lex LuthorLex Luthor is no ordinary super-villain, he’s a power-mad billionaire and a dangerously brilliant scientist too. Such a combination makes him a formidable foe, even for the all-powerful Superman. Luthor has appeared in almost every reincarnation of the Superman franchise, ultimately being thwarted by Superman at each attempt to disrupt the peace of Metropolis.

Batman vs. the JokerThis mastermind criminal clown first appeared with our caped crusader in the comic Batman #1 way back in 1940, quickly becoming the favourite love-to-hate character. A range of incredible actors have played the painted fiend both on TV and on the silver screen, including Heath Ledger in TheDark Knight Trilogy and Mark Hamill who voices the Joker, originally in Batman: The Animated Series and now has revived his role in the new installment Batman: The Killing Joke. This adaptation of the graphic novel adds yet another dark twist to the ongoing Batman franchise whilst uncovering the Joker’s mysterious origins. The polar opposite nemeses have a more complex relationship than that of most heroes and villains – they need each other. Batman wouldn’t be Batman without the Joker, and the Joker wouldn’t be the Joker without Batman.

Batman vs. Harley QuinnThe humorous female sidekick to Batman’s archenemy the Joker has a tumultuous relationship with the Dark Knight, at some points trying to eliminate him due to her devotion to The Joker, and at other times she has been known to work alongside Batman to foil The Joker when her affection was not returned. This feisty female character is not to be messed with, as she can hold her ground against both heroes and villains alike.

Wonder Woman vs. CheetahDemigoddess, warrior princess, and iconic superhero – this powerful heroine has a deadly female nemesis to challenge her in the DC universe. Cheetah may have had 4 very different incarnations, from aristocrat to British archeologist, but has used her razor claws to remain a worthy rival for the lasso of truth throughout the decades.

The Flash vs. ZoomDespite being speedster versus speedster, Zoom can travel at speeds that even The Flash struggles to attain. The two meta-humans often engage in high-speed, high-power conflicts that span entire cities regularly in both the comic series and in The CW’s television series The Flash.

Aquaman vs. Black MantaOne of DC’s emerging superheroes soon to be on the big screen is Aquaman, which will hit cinemas in 2018 with Jason Momoa as the aquatic Justice League member. A marine hero deserves a marine enemy, and DC delivers with Black Manta. The two have battled repeatedly over the years, with mutation, healing, drug smuggling and even assassination playing key roles in the storyline, with Manta even being asked to join the Suicide Squad in the latest comics.